On the Market: Designer Colonial in Chestnut Hill

8315 Seminole St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19118 | Bright MLS images via BHHS Fox & Roach Realtors

Brooks Brothers aficionados, including this reporter, love the iconic American clothier because it offers timeless style: Its clothing never goes out of fashion because it was never in fashion to begin with.

But ever since Italian billionaire Claudio del Vecchio got his hands on the company, one can spot whiffs of…fashion…around the edges of the ur-preppy brand: brighter colors, elaborate floral patterns, more svelte cuts to the suits. The company even staged a runway show — in Milan! — for its 200th anniversary in 2018.

Consider this beautiful Colonial house for sale in Chestnut Hill, then, as the Brooks Brothers of Philadelphia houses.

On the outside, you have that timeless classic look, down to the last detail.

But on the inside…

Living room

…what happened was that Philadelphia architectural firm John S. Andrews Inc. and a New York City interior designer got their hands on this 1925 Hewitt Brothers original five years ago.

The result of their ministrations: A mostly-traditional makeover that at the same time kicks up its heels.

Dining room

For instance, take a look at the formal dining room. The lighting and the wallpaper are very much in line with tradition, but both the white-dominant color scheme and the choice of furniture make this room look a lot brighter and a lot less stuffy than similar dining rooms elsewhere.

Kitchen

Breakfast nook

The kitchen/breakfast nook combo likewise mixes tradition and a more modern sensibility. Here, the modern dominates in both the furniture and the clean lines of the cabinetry, but the lighting reminds you where this house came from.

Master bedroom

Master bathroom

And so it goes all over this comfortable yet stylish residence. Calacatta Gold marble tile in the master bathroom and on the kitchen counters recall tradition while their fittings and fixtures are totally 21st-century.

Study

Grass-cloth walls complement brand-new built-in bookshelves in the study. Whole-house Wi-Fi and main-floor audio installed by World Wide Stereo.

Side sun porch

Tradition, but with a twist.

Sort of like Germantown Avenue in Chestnut Hill itself. You can walk there from here — it’s just three blocks. Two Regional Rail stations on the Chestnut Hill West line are even closer, as is Pastorius Park. In the other direction, it’s also about three blocks to the nearest Wissahickon Park hiking trail.

THE FINE PRINT

BEDS: 6

BATHS: 4 full, 1 half

SQUARE FEET: 5,064

SALE PRICE: $2,295,000

OTHER STUFF: The owner is a licensed Pennsylvania real estate agent.

8315 Seminole St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19118 [The Cooley Bradley Group | BHHS Fox & Roach Realtors]